What is lytic cycle?

The lytic cycle is a key stage in the replication and propagation of viruses that infect bacterial cells, known as bacteriophages. During the lytic cycle, the virus injects its genetic material into the host bacterium, which then uses the host cell's machinery to produce copies of the virus.

The lytic cycle can be divided into several stages:

1. Attachment: the virus attaches to the surface of the bacterial cell and injects its genetic material into the host cell.

2. Entry: the viral genetic material enters the host cell and takes control of the cell's machinery, causing it to produce viral proteins and replicate the viral genome.

3. Replication: the viral genome is replicated, and new virus particles are assembled within the host cell.

4. Assembly: new virus particles are assembled from the replicated genetic material and viral proteins.

5. Lysis: the host cell is lysed, or broken open, to release the newly formed virus particles, which can then infect other bacterial cells.

The lytic cycle ultimately leads to the death of the host cell as a large number of new virus particles are released and infect other cells. This process is responsible for the spread and propagation of viral infections in bacterial populations.